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WORKING
FOR
JUSTICE UNDER
THE LAW
FOR ALL |
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To
qualify for legal help through MidPenn Legal Services, an
individual/family's income must be within the financial
eligibility guidelines set by MidPenn Legal Services'
funding sources. |
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MidPenn Legal
Services is a private non-profit Pennsylvania corporation
established on July 1, 2000 through the merger of Central Pennsylvania Legal Services (CPLS) and Keystone Legal Services Inc. (KLS) On January
1, 2001, MidPenn merged with Legal Services Inc. (LSI) making
MidPenn the largest organization providing free legal representation to low-income people in civil matters in central Pennsylvania. On April 1, 2001, MidPenn
assumed full responsibility for civil legal work in Blair and Bedford counties under a federally funded grant from the Legal Services Corporation and contracts from Pennsylvania Legal Services IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Account).
CPLS was established in 1974 from the 1974 merger of Dauphin County Legal Services, incorporated in 1967 and Tri-County Legal Services, created in 1969 to serve Berks, Lancaster and York counties. In 1979 CPLS opened an office in Lebanon. In 1997 CPLS added Schuylkill county.
KLS was incorporated in 1974 in Centre county with assistance of local community leaders to serve the residents of Centre county as well as the counties of
Huntingdon, Clearfield, Mifflin and Juniata. LSI began in 1969 under the name "The Dickinson School of Law Legal Aid Clinic."
In 1972 Adams county joined Cumberland County Legal Services Association with services being extended to Franklin county in 1973 after which the name of the organization was was changed to Legal services, Inc.
MidPenn Legal Services'
mission is to provide high quality representation to
low-income people with a broad range of legal problems,
while working with clients to develop strategies to
promote social justice. The organization's goals are to
increase access to the justice system for low-income
people; to foster the independence and dignity of our
clients; and to address both the symptoms and root causes
of poverty.
MidPenn Legal Services
works with financially eligible clients in an eighteen
county area in central Pennsylvania including Adams,
Bedford, Blair, Berks, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland,
Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata,
Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Schuylkill and York
through eight field offices in Clearfield, Harrisburg,
Lancaster, Lebanon, Pottsville, Reading, State College
and York. The staff, led by Executive Director Rhodia
Thomas, Esq.,
includes attorneys, paralegals and support personnel with
extensive experience in the provision of legal services.
The administrative staff has responsibilities for general
management, legal oversight, fundraising and
communications.
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MidPenn Legal
Services focuses on those areas of law which are most important
for gaining and maintaining economic and family stability. Areas
of legal practice include:
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 Consumer |
Housing |
Employment |
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Education |
Utilities |
Public
Benefits |
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Family |
Elderly |
Domestic
Violence |
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Support
for MidPenn Legal Services
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| MidPenn Legal
Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which
receives funding from more then 50 public and private
services. Major sources of funding include the Legal
Service Corporation, PA Department of Public Welfare,
Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA), United Way,
Area Agencies on Aging, US Department of Housing and Urban
Development, community development block grants, private
foundations, community foundations, community
organizations and individuals.
MidPenn Legal Services is
grateful for this support. The demand for legal services
is growing and in order to meet the demand, continued
private support is critical. To receive information on how
to financially support MidPenn Legal Services, contact the
administrative office. |
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MidPenn
Legal Services
213-A North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-234-0492 |
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Legal
Representation |
| MidPenn Legal
Services provides representation to income eligible
clients for emergencies such as loss of income, shelter
and medical care. Domestic Violence victims do not need to
qualify under our income guidelines to receive
service. |
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Information
& Advice |
| Many legal
problems can be resolved with information and legal
advice. MidPenn Legal Services provides advice and
information to families to help them evaluate legal
problems. |
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Family
Law Clinics |
| Custody and
divorce clinics are available to people who wish to learn
about their legal options and file current documents with
limited assistance from an advocate. |
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Agency
Education |
| MidPenn Legal
Services trains community and public agency staff on legal
issues to help them better serve their clients. |
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Pro
Bono Project |
| Private
attorneys within the service area donate their time and
expertise to provide legal advice or representation to
clients and by participating in community legal education
events. |
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Community
Legal Education |
| MidPenn Legal
Services teaches low-income people about their legal
rights and responsibilities through community
seminars on various topics, including welfare and public
benefits, landlord/tenant law, domestic violence, elder
law, special education, and issues facing teenagers. |
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Disability
Advocacy Project |
| MidPenn Legal
Services receives funding through the PA Department of
Public Welfare's Disability Advocacy Program to help
individuals receive Social Security Disability and
Supplemental Security Income benefits. |
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